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News | Oct. 23, 2024

FRCSW Enhances Fleet Readiness with 3D Printing Technology

By Janina Lamoglia

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) is leveraging advanced 3D printing technology to address supply chain delays and improve fleet readiness. The Stratasys F-900 3D printer, an industrial-grade system capable of producing high-performance thermoplastics, recently played a key role in manufacturing a critical F/A-18 button plug, traditionally supplied via injection molding.

“The F-900 here at FRCSW enabled us to test print a repair part that could be fabricated at FRCMA (Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic),” explained FRCSW Senior Aerospace Engineer Nick Candrella. The button plug, a non-structural component, had been backordered for months with no solid delivery date. By using the F-900 to produce the part with a qualified aerospace material, FRCSW and the F/A-18 Maintenance Readiness Team (MRT) quickly provided a stop-gap solution while waiting for the supply system to catch up.

John Schneider, FRCSW Senior Materials Engineer, highlighted the coordination between FRCSW, FRCMA and NAVAIR’s Additive Manufacturing Integrated Product Team (IPT). “Coordination was reliant upon the relationships between the teams at all three sites,” Schneider said. “The turnaround time for this first repair was 14 days, but we anticipate future parts would take one to four days.” This saves the command time and money while allowing the repairs to move forward at a pace that will meet mission requirements.

Before sending the build file to FRCMA to physically produce the final product, FRCSW conducted a fit check that ensured the part met specifications. Schneider explained, “The fit check process is a normal validation to ensure the part physically interfaces with the item it is intended to be installed upon.”

With printers like the F-900 deployed at various sites across the Navy, teams can send digital build files directly to squadrons, reducing turnaround time and shipping costs. “Having a qualified item completed at FRCMA means we know the machine is certified to produce aviation-grade material,” said Candrella.

This project is part of a broader effort to integrate additive manufacturing into naval aviation. FRCSW is developing several other repairs using the F-900 and working to certify additional polymer machines for future projects.

As Candrella put it, “These advanced manufacturing technologies are maturing, and they will become an integral part of how we support the mission going forward.”

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest is the Navy’s premier West Coast aircraft repair, maintenance, and overhaul organization specializing in the Navy and Marine Corps aircraft and their related systems.

Oct. 31, 2024

FRCSW Bids Farewell to Its Last Legacy Aircraft

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) has been a pillar of naval aviation maintenance since its establishment in 1919. Over the decades, the facility has supported the U.S. Navy’s mission readiness, ensuring iconic aircraft like the F-14 Tomcat, A-6 Intruder, and S-3 Viking remained airworthy. Now, FRCSW signifies a major shift with the final maintenance of its last legacy aircraft—an F/A-18 Hornet.

Oct. 23, 2024

FRCSW Enhances Fleet Readiness with 3D Printing Technology

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) is leveraging advanced 3D printing technology to address supply chain delays and improve fleet readiness. The Stratasys F-900 3D printer, an industrial-grade system capable of producing high-performance thermoplastics, recently played a key role in manufacturing a critical F/A-18 button plug, traditionally supplied via injection molding.

Oct. 10, 2024

Quality Management at FRCSW

Quality Management at FRCSW

Oct. 10, 2024

FRCSW Civilian of the Quarter

FRCSW Civilian of the Quarter

Oct. 10, 2024

FRCSW Employee Honored as Technology All-Star

ShaWanda Weintraub, the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Industrial Supply Branch Manager at Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW), has been named a Technology All-Star by Women of Color (WOC) magazine. WOC Magazine, with sponsorship from Apple, Google, and RTX, is one of the leading magazines for professional women in STEM and business. Each year the magazine serves as a host of the Women of Color STEM Conference, which recognizes the achievements of women in STEM. 

Oct. 4, 2024

FRCSW Welcomes VADM Pappano

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest hosts Principal Military Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) VADM Scott Pappano, September 5, 2024.

Sept. 26, 2024

FRCSW Components Team Receives CO Coin

Comptroller team receives commanding officer's coin for a job well done.

Sept. 13, 2024

Welcome to the Fleet

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest welcomes new hire through new employee orientation program.

Sept. 5, 2024

FRCSW Revamps Supply Chain Efficiency

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) has entered into a strategic collaboration with the U.S. Army Software Factory (ASWF) to develop a web-based application designed to improve how Transportation Account Codes (TACs) are managed and tracked. The function of TACs is to help the command pay for and track shipments. The initiative aims to solve major issues with keeping up with and verifying shipments because of the large number and fast pace of movements.

Nov. 21, 2023

FRCSW at Fleet Week San Diego

On November 8 2023, Fleet Week in San Diego unfolded as a grand spectacle of innovation and technology, transforming the Port Pavilion Building into a vibrant hub of the future.